Idaho Veterans and Medicare
What you need to know
Idaho Veterans with Medicare have attractive Medicare Advantage plans to consider.
Some veterans join a Medicare Advantage plan just to get the ‘extra benefits’ which come with these plans. You can still get your health care and prescription medications filled through the VA.
Keep in mind, these plans open up your options on where you can get your health care. This means more choices of hospitals and physicians.
Many of these plans have a $0 monthly premium. Some have ‘extra’ benefits not covered by the VA or Medicare. These can include dental coverage, gym memberships, over the counter (OTC) benefits, help paying for your Part B monthly premium, etc.
If you are taking prescription med’s you can continue to get them filled through the VA. Many Veteran centric Medicare Advantage plans do not cover prescription drug coverage, however there are other Medicare Advantage plans targeted for ‘non-veterans’ which do. Depending on your needs, one of these plans may better suite your needs.
Availability of plans in your County of residence can change annually.
Insurance companies decide which Idaho Counties they offer these plans and this can change from year to year.
This means if an insurance company does not offer their ‘Veterans plan(s)’ in County ‘A’ this year, they may choose to do so next year.
Some insurance companies offer more than one plan (details can be different between plans).
The details of these plans can change annually and is the reason to check next year’s offerings available to you. This should be done between 10/15 and 12/7 as well as 1/1/ thru 3/31 each year. These are the ‘windows’ of time you can change plans.
Consider working with a broker that is licensed with all of these plans.
If you work with a broker specializing in Medicare, they can do this for you. Their services are $0 cost.
Be aware brokers may be compensated by any insurance company the veteran chooses to enroll with. The cost to the veteran is no different if they work with a broker or do it their self.
If you want help screening your plan choices, call. I am a veteran and licensed with all of these plans in each Idaho County.
Other Information about VA resources and Medicare.
Learn more about how VA health care works with Medicare and other health insurance here.
Learn the qualifications for all of the Veteran Health Insurance Priority Levels here.
The VA recommends veterans enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare enrollment rules are available here. Please take a few moments and read this material.
Enroll in Medicare when you are initially eligible.
This means enrolling in Medicare Part A AND B. Learn how to get this done here.
Why do this?
Because you want to avoid paying a monthly late enrollment penalty. These come into play if you miss your initial Medicare enrollment period. Learn about late enrollment penalties here.
What is Medicare?
Medicaid is another government service that helps people get health care if they meet income and asset limits. Learn more about Medicaid here.
Social Security Disability is available to veterans that qualify. Learn more about this option here.
Retired Idaho Veterans Eligible for Tri-care.
Medicare-eligible retired Military veteran should read the information found here. This reviews what you need to know about Tri-Care for Life.
If you qualify for this coverage, we encourage you to get it. Tri-Care for life is Medicare wraparound coverage for TRICARE beneficiaries.
TRICARE Survivor Benefits.
TRICARE provides benefits to eligible family members following the death of their sponsor. Learn more about eligibility, continuing medical, pharmacy, and dental benefits by reviewing the information found here.
VA Benefits for Others Who Served in the Active Military.
Is your active military discharge status anything but ‘dishonorable’? If yes, VA health care benefits may be available to you. If you haven’t done so already, we encourage you to apply for your benefits. Learn how this is done by clicking here.
If you are Medicare eligible (or will be soon) we can guide you through the enrollment process.
Other options for Idaho Veterans with Medicare.
You have a choice of staying with Original Medicare and adding a Medigap plan.
You can learn more about Idaho Medigap plans here.
Idaho Medicare Advantage plans are based on the County where you live. Find your County here to learn about your options.
The Medicare Advantage plan market changes annually. It is not unusual to see existing plans add new features as well as new plans become available. Having a coach to help with these decisions makes this process easier.
We are here to help Idaho Veterans enrolled in Medicare
I am a veteran, on Medicare and a licensed broker that specializes in Medicare for Idaho residents. If you want help understanding Medicare or your plan options call. I am here to help.
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